Unexpected businesses express interest in inland port, official says

The S.C. State Ports Authority is getting surprise interest in its inland port from businesses like transloading facilities, the authority’s CEO said during its monthly board meeting Tuesday.

“We have seen interest from people I’ve never thought and segments I’ve never thought,” said CEO Jim Newsome. “I think we’re going to look back on this as a really great idea.”

Newsome said work on the inland port in Greer is progressing as the ports authority and its partner, Norfolk Southern, move through many moving parts.

During the December board meeting, the ports staff said it expects the inland port to open Sept. 1. Also during the meeting, the board gave Newsome and the port’s CFO authority to borrow no more than $30 million to develop, build, operate and maintain the inland port.

In July, the ports authority announced plans to develop 40 to 50 acres in Greer for the inland port, which includes rail, container handling and storage facilities. At the time, Newsome said port customers like BMW, Michelin and Adidas could use the facility, which will link the port to the Upstate through an overnight train service.